Jose Mourinho expects this to be a “very difficult season”, despite Manchester United becoming a better, more attractive side.

The Red Devils crammed a lot into the start of the 2018-19 campaign, with an opening-day victory against Leicester overshadowed by galling back-to-back defeats to Brighton and Tottenham.

The 3-0 loss to Spurs at Old Trafford represented the heaviest home defeat of Mourinho’s career – a setback that ratcheted up scrutiny and pressure, but one they responded to with a run of three successive away wins in all competitions.

That form has lifted United ahead of Saturday’s clash against Wolves, yet growing optimism is underpinned by the manager’s sustained belief – first uttered in pre-season as transfer frustration grew – that this will be a tough campaign.

“So, I think if they think the season is going to easy for them, I think they are wrong, but I don’t think they are wrong because they all know the season is going to be difficult.”

That the season follows a World Cup also adds to the challenge, a fact epitomised by Tottenham – the club with the most semi-finalists – losing three successive games since comprehensively winning at Old Trafford.

Mourinho believes any post-Russia hangover is mental rather than physical, with World Cup winner Paul Pogba inspiring United to victory in their Champions League opener at Young Boys.

“I think it is (a mental thing),” he said. “I think good results, good performances, they make miracles – and bad results and bad performances, they make you look more tired, more upset, more ugly, more everything. Football is a little bit like this.